For the past six years, I have obtained health insurance through my small employer. My health insurance premiums for a family of four are currently $22,000 per year to Anthem BlueCross BlueShield. I have seen the premiums increase steadily, and at the same time, the coverage has declined. For example, child birth (the most common reason for hospital admittance) used to be just a copay under our BCBS insurance plan, but now policyholders must pay the $2,500 deductible first plus the copay for a childbirth claim.

This is not a welcoming bill for any young family in our state.

Without a doubt, the small businesses in our state and the consumers have been left with the short end of the stick, while the health insurance companies have been laughing their way to the bank due to their net profit growth and share price increases year after year.

By giving consumers a choice between their private for-profit insurance plan and the non-profit public option, this bill will result in increased competition in health insurance in our state, which will ultimately benefit the people of Connecticut.

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